Redbirds fall again on a last-second half-court shot

SPRINGFIELD, MO. -- Illinois State was leading Missouri State by two points Sunday with possession and 7.8 seconds left.

ISU forward Matt Chastain inbounded the ball, but it was knocked loose. A wild scramble ensued as the clock ticked away the final seconds.

Amid a pile of bodies on the floor, Missouri State guard Jarred Dixon picked up the loose ball and launched a prayer from mid-court with :0.2 seconds left.

The ball banked in, giving Missouri State an improbable 66-65 victory.

It was the second time in this Missouri Valley Conference season that ISU (14-11, 7-5) has lost in the final second on a half-court shot. It also happened in the league opener at Valparaiso.